GREEN,PETER&WATSON,NIGEL - Hot Foot Powder (Sealed) (CD)

The Robert Johnson Songbook (1998), written in collaboration with Nigel Watson, is followed by Peter Green's imaginative comeback with this sequence of Johnson classics. I'm a Steady Rolling Man", it is gratifyingly clear that the soulful guitar virtuosity of the founder of Fleetwood Mac is complemented by a voice that rises majestically and fits so wonderfully with these haunting Delta treasures. With his partner Watson, who skilfully supports him, you can hear the uncanny echo of the originals in their new arrangements, which nevertheless carry Green's handwriting, on such unshakeably secure songs as "Come On In My Kitchen" and "Hellhound on My Trail". As if it weren't enough with such soloists and their good Splinter Group, Green & Co add to this with their very special guest stars Dr. John (and his lively piano playing on "From Four Till Late"), Buddy Guy (guitar on "Cross Road Blues"), Hubert Sumlin (guitar on "Dead Shrimp Blues") and David "Honeyboy" Edwards, who accompanied Robert Johnson on the evening he poisoned himself (guitar on "Traveling Riverside Blues"). --Alan Greenberg